3rd Ashes Test, Perth

First topic message reminder :

Western Australia next, which means staying up even later to watch the start of the third test.

You would think Perth is one place the Aussies should win, so what do we do?

Panic, and drop Swann, but leave Monty in? Or perhaps play four or five seamers? Has Stokes done enough? He showed plenty of attitude, so yes, he probably has.

Has Prior done enough to see him promoted to six, as Stokes isn't one..............yet? Maybe not but we have to try and win, and playing him at six, would enable us to play five bowlers again, with Monty dropping out.

Who comes in? Finn, the 90mph quickie, with a strike rate around 50? Reliable Tim? Just coming back from injury but will give 100%, won't get smacked around, and can bat a bit. Or rankin? This would be the biggest gamble imo, as he has no test experience.

My team:

Cook
Carberry
Root
Pietersen
Bell
Prior
Stokes
Broad
Swann
Finn
Anderson

Stokes really shouldn't frighten me like that though!

Very little sleep, have to work in a few hours, England on the brink - and some rookie charges down the wicket!

What a rookie though!

mystiroakey wrote:Care to dream lads!

Some of stokes shots were out of this world sexy though.

Not yet. Time to dream would be if England get below 100 runs and they still have three or four wickets remaining.

Duty281 wrote:

Very little sleep, have to work in a few hours

Likewise. Will have to miss the last hour and a half of play and have a ten hour shift in front of me.

Stokes....a nascent mind uncorrupted by Flower's negative attritional brand of cricket....yet

300 to 330 eh KP Fan. Wrong again.

Stokes finally goes. Great innings that for one so inexperienced. That is the wicket Australia wanted and I see the kill being performed quickly now.

I can now see this being over inside an hour. England 336 for 7.

WELL PLAYED STOKES!!

I hope England understand the only slither of a chance is to just bash the ball!

Been a great fight back by England, BUT, if you look at my comments at about day 2, I said quite clearly that England could chase about 400 if everyone applied themselves here. The "revival" isn't much of a shock, but I suppose when the bar is so low this look like manna from heaven.

Although I have long excepted that eventually a team will exceed WI's 418 run chase, I don't think today will be the day. Australia are choking a bit here, but they are so far ahead they still have to be massive favorites to return the urn.

dammit, typed that before the wicket fell

The tail is just offering nothing,

I suppose we can understand why.

quicks mop up tails.. MItch has tortured them

But on the plus side- much better from the top order this test. WE may have lost the ashes- but we offered some resistance.

we can take the positives in this..

But kingraf just remember where England were/probably still are mentally. Commentators and pundits did note the wheels had come off big style by the end of day three and yesterday morning so this showing with the bat (long overdue I may add) is at least worthy of some praise as the players looked mentally shot.

Swann gone and Australian champagne being taken out of the fridge.

Bresnan holes out to Johnson. Great catch by Rogers. England 349 for 9. Are the corks on that champagne about to be popped?

Oops, England getting battered and all I can hear are the English fans. Fantastic support.

Massive wake-up call in this series for England. As I've previously said, England have been a tired team lacking in direction since the UAE series, a brief resurgence in India the exception. This should give them the impetus needed.

9 down! It was fun while it lasted!

Take nothing away from Australia though - much hungrier, much better, and utterly ruthless. A complete reverse of last time in Aus.

We are the army....terrific support. Keep singing lads!

just to illustrate my sage wisdom... allow me to be vain for a second

kingraf wrote:this wicket doesn't crack badly, if I'm English, I'd say if everyone bats responsibly, then even 350-400 is reachable (although not fait accompli)

I'm very interested as to when Clarke will declare. He was in the Aussie side that lost quite handily to South Africa in Perth, having set them 414. I think, 2-0 up, he won't dice this. But he is Clarke, he who declares when the team is still behind... You have to think he tells Smith and Watson to flay for an hour or so.

In future it is alright to use your betting money solely on the basis of what I type.

Well played and congratulations to Australia in lieu of their regaining the Ashes. Better in every department than England, hungrier than England and deserving of the urn. They will be euphoric after a few lean years and will really soak up the occasion. Well done to all involved in their team and coaching staff.

Have a drink Linebreaker, and any other Aussies on here.  

Well done Australia, can't begrudge them this. Better in every department

Australia have regained the Ashes. Broad bounced out by Johnson. The hammering is complete. England all out for 353. Australia win by 151 runs.

Well played aus.

Great win. You have the ashes.   

Must say, I'm still feeling relieved for Mitchell Johnson. Nearly ended his career a couple of hours ago.

I suppose after the horror of a few years ago, he really has come full circle.

South Africa away next for Australia, three tests, after the two remaining here of course. Will be a proper test!

Good to see the emotions there from Johnson et al it just brings it home how much it really matters to them. Huge moment.

Are you happy Linebreaker? Many congratulations.

  Congratulations Australia !

A well deserved win...

Have a drink , Linebreaker   

Yes Doody - we are facing this Aus team in February. We will beat this Australian team to the barracks and keep them down. Hopefully they'll sneak in a fourth Test in the series. Still cant actually see them beating us - man for man,
Smith* vs Warner
Petersen* vs Rodgers
Amla* vs Watson
Kallis* vs Clarke
De Villiers* vs Smith
Faf* vs Bailey
Duminy* vs Haddin
Steyn* vs Johnson
Philander* vs Harris
Morkel vs Siddle*
Tahir* vs Lyon

Pretty unscientific, and if Australia are really up for it, they could well win. But a combination of a post-Ashes come down and the fact that S.A. are really quite brilliant means I think a thrashing is on the cards.

I thought that England would win this one...on paper, man-for-man!

If it's only 3 tests between SA-Australia, I'll plump for a 1-1. #safe

So Australia have won, well done.
Good fight from Ben Stokes, the only England batsman to score a ton in this series but it all came a bit too late for England. Hopefully they'll take some confidence from this game and play well in the next couple of games.
And hopefully the South Africans can relax a bit against India and focus all their attention on putting these Australians in their place, what do you say, kingraf?

I most certainly hope not, MSP - I have tickets of days 1-4 for the Jo'burg test. Given the massacre in the ODIs, and the fact that we've dismissed three of our last four home opposition for sub-50 scores... It could get ugly.

Is there a law in australia that means you are not allowed to drink Beer, you have to pour it over other peoples heads.

  

Great scenes in there dressing room.

Its just a beer bath..

So one change for the next test - someone, probably Finn or Rankin, in for the injured Broad.

Or, mix it up a bit? Finn and Rankin in for Anderson and Broad. Give Ballance and Bairstow a go.

I'd go for the latter, they might as well and it's a good opportunity to assess the fringe players, but England will probably opt for the former.

And Ian Botham looks a bit sheepish, more so than me! Even I didn't predict 10-0!

well cook said he would pick there 'best' team

the reality is that the best team might be different players as shown by Stokes, fresh players can play better than mentally drained players even if there arnt as 'good'

and then nasir just completely mirrors my view

kingraf wrote:Yes Doody - we are facing this Aus team in February. We will beat this Australian team to the barracks and keep them down. Hopefully they'll sneak in a fourth Test in the series. Still cant actually see them beating us - man for man,
Smith* vs Warner
Petersen* vs Rodgers
Amla* vs Watson
Kallis* vs Clarke
De Villiers* vs Smith
Faf* vs Bailey
Duminy* vs Haddin
Steyn* vs Johnson
Philander* vs Harris
Morkel vs Siddle*
Tahir* vs Lyon

Pretty unscientific, and if Australia are really up for it, they could well win. But a combination of a post-Ashes come down and the fact that S.A. are really quite brilliant means I think a thrashing is on the cards.

KR I think your ratings are way off TBH mate.

Lyon is light years ahead Tahir, who's barely provincial level.

Kallis' form has been terrible in recent times and Clarke's got the force with him at present.

Philander and Harris is pretty level pegging.

As is Alviro and Rogers. Alviro has been out of form since the series in England.

Whilst on paper we have more match winners, cricket isn't played on paper. If stay 2-1 either is possible, but won't rule out a 1-1 draw

Duty281 wrote:So one change for the next test - someone, probably Finn or Rankin, in for the injured Broad.

Or, mix it up a bit? Finn and Rankin in for Anderson and Broad. Give Ballance and Bairstow a go.

I'd go for the latter, they might as well and it's a good opportunity to assess the fringe players, but England will probably opt for the former.

And Ian Botham looks a bit sheepish, more so than me! Even I didn't predict 10-0!

Finn & Rankin/Tremlett in for Broad & Anderson. Panesar for Swann.

I hope England retain medium pacer James Anderson, I'm enjoying seeing he's limited ability getting pounded out of him.

Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

kingraf wrote:I most certainly hope not, MSP - I have tickets of days 1-4 for the Jo'burg test. Given the massacre in the ODIs, and the fact that we've dismissed three of our last four home opposition for sub-50 scores... It could get ugly.

Kingraf, good choice not to take a 5th day ticket. If the South African bowlers are all firing, then there is no chance the game would go into the 5th day!.

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

Gotta congratulate Australia, under Lehmann and Pup they've teally turned their cricket around.

Had they lost this series players such as Watson, Johnson, Haddin etc may have been pensioned off.

Australia's lower middle orders count attacking swung the series. Coupled with the magnificent fast bowling trio Johnson, Harris and Siddle. They broke the spine of the English side.

Pup deserves this career defining moment. He's been a shining light in a transitional Australian side for the last few years. Now he's moulded a good side.

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

If I had a sister, medium pacer Anderson won't get near her, with the blanks he's firing   

Tahir took a sub-continental fifer (which is a spinners benchmark, really), and he's bowled very well in the domestic and ODI's, as of now he is a superior player. Petersen vs Roger is close, but I've seen Varo score centuries, Rogers seems incapable of kicking on. Kallis isn't in the greatest of form, but hes range of skill (combined with Clarke's less than ominous Record in S.A.) gives him the edge. Philander vs Harris is close. I defer to rankings, and the fact that Philander has run through teams more often, more clinically.

I can understand why you'd think Tahir vs Lyon goes the other way, and you might be right - but in 2013, we've played Pakistan (and therefore Ajmal) more times than I care to remember. Lyon is a significant come down from that. Tahir on the other hand mesmerized a Pakistani team that plays spin from the cradle. I give him the edge.

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

   

It never takes too long with Gerry.

Pull the string and down comes the red mist!

So Gerry, me old mucker, when did you fall in love with the Burnley express? Was it before or after the innings win by the pathetic poms in '09?   

kingraf wrote:Tahir took a sub-continental fifer (which is a spinners benchmark, really), and he's bowled very well in the domestic and ODI's, as of now he is a superior player. Petersen vs Roger is close, but I've seen Varo score centuries, Rogers seems incapable of kicking on. Kallis isn't in the greatest of form, but hes range of skill (combined with Clarke's less than ominous Record in S.A.) gives him the edge. Philander vs Harris is close. I defer to rankings, and the fact that Philander has run through teams more often, more clinically.

I can understand why you'd think Tahir vs Lyon goes the other way, and you might be right - but in 2013, we've played Pakistan (and therefore Ajmal) more times than I care to remember. Lyon is a significant come down from that. Tahir on the other hand mesmerized a Pakistani team that plays spin from  the cradle. I give him the edge.

TBH mate, Lyon took a 9 wicket match haul against the Indians.

Tahir won't get the turn he got in UAE back that's for certain.

I'd much rather we picked an actual young South African spinner.

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

   

It never takes too long with Gerry.

Pull the string and down comes the red mist!

So Gerry, me old mucker, when did you fall in love with the Burnley express? Was it before or after the innings win by the pathetic poms in '09?   

2005 Jo'Burg Gibbs smashed him to pieces.

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

   

It never takes too long with Gerry.

Pull the string and down comes the red mist!

So Gerry, me old mucker, when did you fall in love with the Burnley express? Was it before or after the innings win by the pathetic poms in '09?   

2005 Jo'Burg Gibbs smashed him to pieces.

Oh...so love at first sight? Ah, and England won that game.

Fantastic game I was there for four of the five days. Probably the greatest innings Tresco ever played.

The myth surrounding Alastair Cook's good record against Australia getting shattered to pieces.

Cook has played 5 Ashes series.

2006/07 - averaged 27.60
2009 - averaged 24.66
2010/11 - 127.66
2013 - 27.70
2013/14 - so far averaging 25.66

So aside from 2010/11, where Cook dipped his bread against average bowlers like Bollinger, Hilfenhaus, Doherty and Beer.

Cook'a been exposed against high class fast bowling.

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

   

It never takes too long with Gerry.

Pull the string and down comes the red mist!

So Gerry, me old mucker, when did you fall in love with the Burnley express? Was it before or after the innings win by the pathetic poms in '09?   

2005 Jo'Burg Gibbs smashed him to pieces.

Oh...so love at first sight? Ah, and England won that game.

Anderson getting carted around at 5 runs per over was the highlight.

From the beginning, the Proteas knew he was a mental midget.

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

   

It never takes too long with Gerry.

Pull the string and down comes the red mist!

So Gerry, me old mucker, when did you fall in love with the Burnley express? Was it before or after the innings win by the pathetic poms in '09?   

2005 Jo'Burg Gibbs smashed him to pieces.

Oh...so love at first sight? Ah, and England won that game.

Anderson getting carted around at 5 runs per over was the highlight.

From the beginning, the Proteas knew he was a mental midget.

Crikey, this fixation's getting a bit worrying.

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

   

It never takes too long with Gerry.

Pull the string and down comes the red mist!

So Gerry, me old mucker, when did you fall in love with the Burnley express? Was it before or after the innings win by the pathetic poms in '09?   

2005 Jo'Burg Gibbs smashed him to pieces.

Oh...so love at first sight? Ah, and England won that game.

Anderson getting carted around at 5 runs per over was the highlight.

From the beginning, the Proteas knew he was a mental midget.

Crikey, this fixation's getting a bit worrying.

I'm surprised you're still showing your face on here.

3 humiliating series battering inside 28 months.

Pakistan 3-0 drubbing
Proteas 2-0 drubbing
Australia 3-0(and counting) drubbing.

Don't worry you can look forward to England's series against fellow minnows Sri Lanka next summer

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Just give it a break will ya Gerry!

Jeas. What has he done to you. Banged your sister or something

982 posts - how many about his favourite cricketer do you reckon? 400+?

He secretly loves him. Bless.   

You crying into your pillow?

Pathetic Poms humilated by rampant Australia.

   

It never takes too long with Gerry.

Pull the string and down comes the red mist!

So Gerry, me old mucker, when did you fall in love with the Burnley express? Was it before or after the innings win by the pathetic poms in '09?   

2005 Jo'Burg Gibbs smashed him to pieces.

Oh...so love at first sight? Ah, and England won that game.

Anderson getting carted around at 5 runs per over was the highlight.

From the beginning, the Proteas knew he was a mental midget.

Crikey, this fixation's getting a bit worrying.

I'm surprised you're still showing your face on here.

3 humiliating series battering inside 28 months.

Pakistan 3-0 drubbing
Proteas 2-0 drubbing
Australia 3-0(and counting) drubbing.

Don't worry you can look forward to England's series against fellow minnows Sri Lanka next summer

2-0 is a drubbing?  

And your mathematics need a bit of polishing. I make it inside 22 months. Or 23.

Why run away? Just a game at the end of the day, real life is far more important - sport's just an escape.

And next summer? Sorry lad, the biggest sporting competition in the world takes precedence over that series - are SA in it? Ooops....